The Spirit’s works of baptism and sealing
MARKED FOR LIFE
NOOMA
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The Spirit is given to every believer as a permanent identifying mark of new life.– Both baptism and sealing occur as part of the
“package deal” at salvation– You don’t have to ask for, work for, pray for,
prepare for, or grow up into the Spirit– Baptism is always about identification– Sealing is principally about ownership
SPIRIT BAPTISM
1. Spirit baptism is a unique experience to post-Pentecost believers. (Acts 1:5, 8; 2:1-4)
– John the Baptizer preached a future baptism by Spirit (Mt 3:11 // Mk 1:8// Lk 3:16 // Jn 1:33)
– Jesus taught a future baptism by Spirit (Acts 1:5, 11:16)
SPIRIT BAPTISM
2. Spirit baptism is a universal experience for post-Pentecost believers. – The letters were written to diverse churches
with believers in various spiritual conditions– Paul refers to “all” being baptized – The unity in one Lord and one faith is marked
also by one baptism (Eph 4:5)
– No exhortation is ever given to believers to be baptized by the Spirit
SPIRIT BAPTISM
3. Spirit baptism identifies and unites believers to the body of Christ (the church). (1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 4:1-6)– The “body of Christ” is an exclusively NT
expression (distinct from people of God)– Christ, its head, took His place after His
resurrection & ascension (Eph 1:22-23; Col 1:18-19)
– This unity with all, without prejudice or segregation, is possible because of the Spirit
SPIRIT BAPTISM
4. Spirit baptism identifies believers with Christ permanently. (Rom 6:1-5; Gal 3:27; Col 2:12)
– It is not the same as water baptism– Water baptism is a symbolic declaration that
Spirit baptism has occurred– Spirit baptism is the indicator that we are in
union with Christ, and therefore secure– It does not give any believer miracle-working
powers as evidence of their faith
SPIRIT SEALING
1. God seals the believer and gives him the Spirit in guarantee of eternal life. (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13-14, 4:30)– The Spirit marks the believer as belonging to
Christ– The believer is going to receive an inheritance of
eternal life, according to the promise of God– No exhortation is ever given to believers to be
sealed by the Spirit
SPECIAL CASES: ACTS
• Acts is a transitional book moving between the times of the OT and the NT.
• “After the events of Pentecost we find no other clear cases of such postconversion experience among Jews.” Millard J Erickson– Acts 8 (Samaritans) and Acts 10 (Gentiles) are
episodes that follow the pattern of Acts 2 (Jews)– There are no delays described beyond Acts
CONCLUSIONS
“The Spirit’s baptizing and sealing work are very closely related, and both occur at the same time though they are not identical.
Baptism has to do with providing the vital relationship between the believer and Christ
and believers and each other. Sealing signifies ownership and security.”
Robert P Lightner
CONCLUSIONS
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”2 Cor 9:15, NASB
• Thank the Spirit for His works (gifts to us) of– regeneration– identification–preservation